Key Points:
- Lisa Roath will become Target’s new COO on February 15, 2026, after nearly 20 years with the company.
- Rick Gomez will exit his role as Chief Commercial Officer, serving briefly as an advisor until April 17, 2026.
- The leadership changes are part of Target’s strategy to sharpen operations and sustain growth without altering its financial outlook.
Target Corporation has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing longtime executive Lisa Roath as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The move, effective February 15, 2026, reflects a broader effort by the Minneapolis-based retailer to streamline operations and accelerate growth under its evolving executive structure.
Lisa Roath, 48, brings nearly two decades of experience within the company to her new role. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Food, Essentials, and Beauty. Over the years, she has held several high-profile positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, where she played a pivotal role in shaping brand strategy and category expansion.
As Chief Operating Officer, Roath will oversee core operational functions across the business, focusing on improving efficiency, strengthening execution, and enhancing the overall guest experience. Her deep merchandising and marketing background is expected to provide a cross-functional perspective that aligns product strategy with operational delivery.
In connection with her promotion, Roath will receive an annual base salary of $775,000 and remain eligible for performance-based bonuses and long-term incentive awards under the company’s executive compensation plans. She will continue to serve in an at-will capacity, consistent with the company’s executive employment structure.
Rick Gomez to Exit After Advisory Period
Alongside Roath’s appointment, Target confirmed that Rick Gomez will step down from his role as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer on the same date. Gomez will transition into a non-executive advisory position through April 17, 2026, before formally departing the company.
Gomez has been a key figure in shaping Target’s commercial and merchandising strategies in recent years. His responsibilities included overseeing product assortment, brand partnerships, and category performance across the retailer’s national footprint. During his advisory period, Gomez will continue receiving his base salary and remain eligible for his target bonus opportunity.
Upon his departure, Gomez is expected to qualify for severance benefits under Target’s income continuation policies for executives. Certain long-term incentive awards will vest in accordance with the terms of his transition agreement, marking the conclusion of his tenure with the company.
The company characterized the transition as orderly and aligned with its broader organizational realignment, emphasizing continuity and stability throughout the leadership change.
Positioning for Operational Focus and Growth
The leadership update comes amid Target’s continued efforts to strengthen operational execution and adapt to shifting retail dynamics. Company leadership has signaled a renewed emphasis on simplifying structure, accelerating decision-making, and driving performance across stores and digital channels.
In addition to Lisa Roath’s promotion, the retailer has made complementary adjustments within its merchandising leadership team to reinforce accountability and sharpen category strategy. The restructuring reflects a desire to more closely integrate merchandising insight with day-to-day operational excellence.
Despite the executive reshuffle, Target reaffirmed that its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 sales outlook and full-year profit guidance remain unchanged. The company expressed confidence in its long-term strategy and emphasized that the leadership changes are designed to enhance focus rather than signal a shift in financial expectations.
With Roath stepping into the COO role and Gomez preparing to exit, Target’s executive bench is entering a new chapter, one centered on operational discipline, brand strength, and sustained growth in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.
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